THE GARDEN PATH Photo: Jack Jakobsen MAY 2016 • VOLUME 15 • NUMBER 5 ART IN THE GARDEN 2016 AMERICAN BONSAI: THE UNBRIDLED ART OF RYAN NEIL “It’s bonsai. As in ‘bone’ and ‘sigh.’” But, artist Ryan Neil said he’s loosened up over the years on the issue of pronunciation. “Bonsai” is a Japanese word, but the context for cultivating trees in shallow containers originated in China as an art form known as penjing. Penjing was a practice rooted in Buddhism that connected man to the environment and brought the spirit of wild places closer to home. It migrated to Japan with Buddhism, as a spiritual practice, and slowly evolved into bonsai under the influence of Japanese culture. That connection of man to the environment is at the heart of the second Art in the Garden exhibition of the year (May 21st through June 19th). Titled American Bonsai: The Unbridled Art of Ryan Neil, the exhibition focuses solely on American species of trees, designed to directly reflect the character of American culture and the landscapes in which our culture has been formed. “Much the same way penjing evolved into bonsai, we are witnessing another evolution in the way we use these tiny trees to express and embody our own American landscape and the spirit of American culture,” said Mr. Neil. Ryan Neil was born and raised on the Western slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. He became fascinated with the landscape Photo: Chris Hornbecker and its fantastic array of wind-swept trees. Mr. Neil obtained a May 21-June 19, 2016 degree in horticulture then went to Japan where he undertook a six Outdoor Courtyard year apprenticeship with Bonsai master Masahiko Kimura, the most Regular Garden Hours revolutionary figure in contemporary Japanese bonsai. Included with Garden Admission Golden Crane Society Opening Reception In 2010, Mr. Neil settled in Oregon to begin cultivating his art form of Friday, May 20, 5:30-7:30pm bonsai. His company Bonsai Mirai is an innovative American bonsai Golden Crane Society Members Only garden and school—a creative place that reflects the unbridled culture RSVP: (503) 542-0281 of its new home in the American West. “Fifty percent of the creation of a beautiful tree comes not from the artist, but from the tree’s response to the artist. I’m only a small part of the Continued on page 2 MAY 2016 | THE GARDEN PATH 1 FOUR SEASONS • FIVE SENSES • ONE EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE FROM THE CEO Dear Garden Members, What is becoming more and more visible each day however is the careful thought and thorough planning that has gone into each If you’ve recently been to the Garden, element of design to ensure beauty, functionality, environmental you’ve seen that the Cultural Crossing stewardship, and relevance to the life of the individuals who will Village is taking shape! Steel beams use and enjoy it for decades to come. are framing the new buildings at the top of the hill, while the LEED- Yet none of this would add up to the actual Cultural Crossing without certified storm water filtration tanks the generous support of you: our members, volunteers, and friends that have been placed underneath from near and far. Campaign Chairs Dorie and Larry Vollum the parking lot are entirely concealed. and President of the Board of Trustees Cathy Rudd have asked Beginning soon, you will see features you, our wonderful members, to strive toward achieving a of the new gardens that will be home $1,300,000 members goal. Together with the other fundraising to thousands of new plants and trees: efforts of the Board of Trustees, the Campaign Cabinet, and our from ground-cover dwarf bamboo and native trilliums to young staff—your participation will enable the Garden to fully raise the Japanese maples, pines, and northwest firs. $33.5 million project goal. Many of you have already responded and responded most generously. As of March 31, you had collectively In this Cultural Crossing project, the invisible is as significant as donated $224,743. We thank you for each and every gift! the visible: For those of you who haven’t yet made a gift, we ask you to • 30,000 tons of dirt have been removed to make space for join us. Next year, when we celebrate together the new cultural the Village village and beautiful gardens, we will also honor the invisible pulse • 24 geothermal wells, each 300’ deep, have been drilled to naturally that runs through the original Garden and the Cultural Crossing – provide heating and cooling in the new buildings, significantly the generous support from you, ensuring the Garden’s gifts will be reducing our carbon footprint enjoyed for generations to come. • A large vault buried 20’ underground will provide the mechanics Yours in gratitude, of a new cascading water feature on Kingston Avenue that will welcome all visitors to the Garden and Washington Park • Just inside the Antique Gate, the transformation of removing the invasive English ivy from the hillside has begun. Steve ART IN THE GARDEN 2016 AMERICAN BONSAI: THE UNBRIDLED ART OF RYAN NEIL Continued from page 1 greater conversation that is going on continually in each tree’s life that I have a hand in,” said Neil. Mr. Neil’s work channels the craftsmanship and discipline of this ancient Japanese art form while reflecting the untamed landscape of the WHAT IS BONSAI? American West. The exhibition will feature about a dozen of these living Bonsai is the art of recreating nature in miniature and art pieces with trees ranging from 100 to 500 years old. the horticultural practice of limiting a tree’s growth “I’ve learned over the years that I can get where I want to go with a tree through cultivation in a shallow tray. The confined much faster if I let the tree dictate the pace and the direction,” said Neil. container restricts the tree’s rate of growth and feeding When asked why she wanted to showcase Mr. Niel’s work, Diane proportions leading to a finer growth that is more spread Durston, the Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art & Education, said, out. Any species of plant can be used to create bonsai, “Bonsai Mirai bridges cultures with Ryan’s innovative approach to the but typically practitioners look for species that have art of bonsai. The word mirai (pronounced mee-rye) means “the future,” naturally small needles or leaves so the proportions of and that’s clearly where he is going!” their creations are believable. A special thanks to exhibition sponsor Vasek and Travers Hill Polak and family, in honor of the Ellie Murrah Hill Bonsai Terrace opening in the new Cultural Village of the Portland Japanese Garden in 2017. Additional support provided by The Autzen Foundation. 2 MAY 2016 | THE GARDEN PATH MEMBER NEWS ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP With Special Presentation Cultural Crossing Campaign: a Generational Community Investment Photo: Jonathan Ley May 9, 2016 6-8pm World Forestry Center, Miller Hall Reservation required, space is limited Reserve your complimentary tickets online at japanesegarden.com/events or call (503) 542-0280 Steve Bloom, CEO will moderate a panel discussion Cultural Crossing Campaign: a Generational Community Investment with Dorie Vollum, Community Philanthropist; Gwyneth Gamble Booth, MEMBER TEA AND EXHIBITION TOUR Chair PGE Foundation, and Barb Hall, Executive Director, May 28, 2016 Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation. In addition, we 8-10am will honor outgoing Board members, elect new board members to Portland Japanese Garden the Japanese Garden Board of Trustees, reflect on highlights from Members and Guests 2015, and look towards the year to come. For information on board No reservations required nominees or to learn more about absentee voting please visit Join us during this special Member-Only Hours for tea, coffee, and japanesegarden.com/events/annual-meeting/. a light continental breakfast on the East Veranda. Docents will be TWILIGHT HOURS FOR available on the Overlook to answer questions and talk about the Art in the Garden Exhibition, American Bonsai: The Unbridled Art of Ryan SUPPORTING AND SPONSOR Neil. See the Cover Story for details on this exhibition. MEMBERS May 19, 2016 PHOTOGRAPHER MEMBER 7-9pm SPECIAL HOURS Portland Japanese Garden Supporting & Sponsor Members and Guests May 31, 2016 No reservations required 6:30-8am Portland Japanese Garden The Garden is pleased to invite Supporting and Sponsor Members Photographer Members and Guests to experience the Garden in its evening beauty. Join us for No reservations required refreshments on the Pavilion veranda and enjoy the quiet twilight hours in the Garden. Your guests are welcome. Photographer Members and their guests are given special early- morning access to the Garden. Capture familiar landscapes at their most serene: illuminated in quiet solitude by dawn’s first light. AMERICAN BONSAI: THE UNBRIDLED ART OF RYAN NEIL DEMONSTRATIONS May 22, 2016 Demonstration 1: Ponderosa Pine—the icon of the West and the aesthetics 1-3pm of American bonsai. Portland Japanese Garden Viewing included with Garden admission Exhibition open during regular garden hours May 29, 2016 Demonstration 2: Rocky Mountain Juniper—redefining the natural line. 1-3pm Viewing included with Garden admission Portland Japanese Garden Exhibition open during regular garden hours June 5, 2016 Demonstration 3: Colorado Spruce and Coastal Oak—using aesthetics 1-3pm to express environment in design. Portland Japanese Garden Viewing included with Garden admission Exhibition open during regular garden hours MAY 2016 | THE GARDEN PATH 3 CULTURALCROSSING.COM/DONATE CULTURAL CROSSING: ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS Spring has come to Washington Park and hopefully most of you have had a chance to visit the Garden since we reopened while continuing to work around construction.